The Toyota Innova has been one of the most popular cars in India in the last one decade. It has moved families over long distances in great comfort and the Crysta version of the MPV launched a few years back made it even more premium. Now the Japanese car brand is set to write the next chapter in the Innova story as it has unveiled the Innova HyCross in the market, a car that takes the premium and tech quotient even further. It is also the first time that the Innova has come without a Diesel engine, instead it gets a self-charging strong hybrid model, like the one seen on the recently launched Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder.
Looks
The new Innova HyCross looks quite different from the Innova Crysta, yet the silhouette reminds you that this car belongs to the Innova family. It gets a raised bonnet line, a large hexagonal gunmetal finish grille, automatic LED headlamps, super chrome alloy wheels, and a wider bumper to enhance its sophisticated and rugged look. The tyre size has gone up from before and along with shorter overhangs and a more curved rear, the stance of the SUV is quite likeable. It is based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) which makes the car robust.
Interior
Cabin comfort has always been one of the highlights of the Innova and if Toyota is to be believed it has only become better with the HyCross. The styling ushers improved cabin aesthetics, with dark chestnut quilted leather seats along with soft-touch leather and metallic decorations in the cabin. According to Toyota, the cockpit is modeled in horizontal tones to give a sense of space, while vertical tones are used for the central cluster and door decor. The car now gets ventilated front seats something that will come in handy during peak Indian summers.
For the second row, the car gets a panoramic sunroof, 25.65cm connected display audio with JBL 9 speaker system, segment-first sliding and reclining Seats and multi-zone A/C. Toyota’s Connected car technology – iConnect is also present in the car. The flat floor design along with a wheelbase of 285cm (longest in the segment) ensures good space on the 2nd row. The car also gets power back door and tilt-down Seats for better space utilization and increased luggage space.
Engine
The new Innova HyCross is powered by 5th generation self-charging strong hybrid electric system with a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder Petrol engine and a monocoque frame with an e-drive sequential shift. It delivers a maximum power output of 186 PS and according to Toyota provides rapid acceleration and best in segment fuel economy. Being a strong hybrid, the Innova Hycross can run 40% of the distance and 60% of the time in electric or zero emission mode. The car also comes with the option of a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder Petrol engine mated to a direct shift CVT which delivers 174 PS. For the first time, there is no manual gearbox option on the Innova HyCross, but you do get Paddle shifts for increased control while driving.
Safety
The new Innova Hycross brings the Toyota Safety Sense to India for the first time. The safety package features Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Trace Assist (LTA), Auto High Beam (AHB), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) systems, Pre-Collision System and Rear Cross Traffic Alert systems. Other features include 6 airbags, electronic parking brakes, rear disc brakes, vehicle stability control, hill-start assist, panoramic view monitor and front & rear parking sensors.
The car is available in super white, platinum white pearl, silver metallic, attitude black mica, sparkling black pearl crystal shine, avant grade bronze metallic and a new blackish ageha glass flake colour option. Interiors in black come with two new options – chestnut & black and dark chestnut. The Hycross will come with a warranty of 3 years/100,000 kilometers and an option of extended warranty of up to 5 years/220,000 kilometers, 3 years free roadside assistance and 8 years/160,000 kilometers warranty on the Hybrid battery. Company has also begun bookings for the car at Rs 50,000 and deliveries will begin soon.
The author is a senior editor at carandbike.com